“Whoever is not moved by her piano playing might as well cut off their ears,” is how the writer Said Takieddine used to express his admiration for the playing of his daughter, the global musician and accomplished pianist Diana Takieddine.
Takieddine, a daughter of the Chouf town of Baakline, taught music at the American University of Beirut and performed many musical pieces on stages in Beirut and across the world.
Diana grew up in a musical and cultural household; her father was the well-known writer Said Takieddine, and her mother was a pianist who encouraged and supported her talent from a young age. She moved to live in the United States, where she presented many musical performances and represented her country, Lebanon, and the Arab world at numerous international festivals and forums.
She also played a distinguished role in supporting the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music through her active membership for many years in the musical committee of the ANERA organization.
Those close to her also speak of Diana the human being, not just the musician; she was very fond of charity work and helping the needy. Clovis Maksoud, as quoted by Jean Dayeh, recounted about her: “He told how he and some friends collected a sum of dollars and handed it to her on the basis that it would cover her expenses for three months. However, the retired pianist gave most of it to those she saw in greater need than herself within three days.”
Takieddine's fingers left their final touch on the melodies of her notes and she passed away on Thursday, June 14, 2018, after spending her life drawing from music and giving tirelessly through creativity and distinguished musical pieces.
